Proximity switch assembly having pliable surface and depression

Abstract

A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. A depression is formed in a substrate between the pliable material and the sensor. A groove may extend into the substrate between adjacent proximity switches. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A proximity switch assembly comprising:
 a rigid substrate having top and bottom surfaces and a depression within the top surface of the substrate; 
 a proximity sensor comprising first and second electrodes disposed on the substrate below the depression; and 
 a non-conductive pliable material provided on the top surface of the substrate and extending over the depression, wherein the proximity sensor generates an output signal indicative of the dielectric properties of a user's finger. 
 
     
     
       2. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the depression has a first length and the proximity sensor has a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length by at least 5 millimeters. 
     
     
       3. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first length exceeds the second length in the range of 5 to 10 millimeters. 
     
     
       4. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the depression has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 millimeters. 
     
     
       5. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable material is rubber. 
     
     
       6. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an air gap is formed within the depression. 
     
     
       7. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor is disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate. 
     
     
       8. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1  further comprising control circuitry monitoring an activation field associated with the proximity sensor and determining an activation of the proximity switch based on the output signal generated by the sensor in relation to a threshold when a user's finger depresses the pliable material. 
     
     
       9. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of proximity switches, each of the proximity switches comprising a proximity sensor formed on the bottom surface of the substrate and a depression formed on the top surface of the substrate, and at least one groove extending into the substrate between adjacent proximity switches. 
     
     
       10. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the proximity switch assembly comprises a capacitive switch comprising one or more capacitive sensors. 
     
     
       11. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is installed on a vehicle. 
     
     
       12. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pliable material comprises an elevated portion disposed over the depression. 
     
     
       13. A vehicle proximity switch assembly comprising:
 a rigid substrate having first and second surfaces and a depression forming an air gap within the second surface of the substrate; 
 a proximity sensor comprising first and second electrodes disposed on the first surface of the substrate below the depression; and 
 a non-conductive pliable material provided on the substrate and extending over the depression, wherein the depression is longer than the proximity sensor, and wherein the proximity sensor generates an output signal indicative of the dielectric properties of a user's finger. 
 
     
     
       14. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the depression has a first length and the proximity sensor has a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length by at least 5 millimeters. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first length exceeds the second length in the range of 5 to 10 millimeters. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the depression has a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 millimeters. 
     
     
       17. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the pliable material is rubber. 
     
     
       18. The vehicle proximity switch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the proximity switch comprises a capacitive switch comprising one or more capacitive sensors. 
     
     
       19. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the pliable material comprises an elevated portion disposed over the depression. 
     
     
       20. The proximity switch assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of proximity switches, each of the proximity switches comprising a proximity sensor formed on the bottom surface of the substrate and a depression formed on the top surface of the substrate, and at least one groove extending into the substrate between adjacent proximity switches.